Sea King Aquariums

Sea King Aquariums in Bellevue, Washington has earned a devoted following that stretches well beyond the Seattle metro — customers regularly drive two hours from Yakima just to shop here. This family-run saltwater aquarium store, anchored by owner Abel's hands-on expertise and genuine passion for the hobby, has become a destination for reef keepers across Western Washington. The coral selection is the obvious draw.

Rows of immaculately maintained tanks hold everything from high-end collector pieces to affordable small frags, giving reef hobbyists at every budget level something to get excited about. The store's rotating deals — including a buy-three-get-the-fourth-coral-free punch card system — keep regulars coming back frequently. Saltwater fish and crustaceans round out the livestock offerings, and while the fish selection may not be as deep as the coral inventory, reviewers consistently note the health and vibrancy of every animal in the store.

What sets Sea King apart is the quality of guidance customers receive. Abel and his staff are repeatedly praised for walking newcomers through their first saltwater tank setup, explaining acclimation procedures species by species, and offering specific, actionable advice rather than generic pointers. Several reviewers credit Sea King with getting them confidently into the reef hobby for the first time, or back into it after years away.

The staff's patience — never rushing customers, never talking down to them — comes up again and again across hundreds of reviews. The store itself is spotless. Tanks are clean, livestock looks thriving, and the overall atmosphere feels professional without being sterile.

Beyond livestock, Sea King stocks a solid range of saltwater supplies and equipment, and also handles repairs. The shop's combination of premium coral selection, honest customer service, and community-minded touches like holiday candy for kids and loyalty drawings makes it feel less like a retail transaction and more like joining a local reef-keeping family. For saltwater enthusiasts in the greater Seattle and Bellevue area, it's a store worth building a relationship with.